Nov. 08, 2011
Rebecca Strecker
NASA Public Affairs Office
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
(228) 688-3249
Rebecca.A.Strecker@nasa.gov
RELEASE: CLT-11-201
STENNIS SPACE CENTER TURNS 50, FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
In the midst of a yearlong celebration of five decades of rocket
engine testing, Stennis Space Center found itself in a position
similar to what it faced as the 1970s arrived – wondering what its
future engine testing assignment would be.
In the early days of the 1970s, with the end of the Apollo Program,
the future of the nation's space program – and Stennis' role in it –
were unclear. In January 1972, NASA announced launch of the Space
Shuttle Program and assigned responsibility for testing the main
engines that would power the shuttle spacecraft to Stennis. The first
space shuttle main engine test at Stennis in 1975 marked the
beginning of 34 years of testing for 135 shuttle missions.
When the Space Shuttle Program ended this summer, the questions again
arose about the future of the nation's space program and Stennis'
role in it.
It turned out to be a case of deja vu all over again.
NASA announced in mid-September plans to build a new heavy-lift Space
Launch System that can carry humans beyond low-Earth orbit into deep
space once more. The agency also announced that Stennis Space Center
would test both engines that will power the new craft – the RS-25 D/E
and the next-generation J-2X.
It makes sense. The RS-25 D/E actually is the space shuttle main
engine Stennis has excelled at testing. Five of the engines will be
used to power the core stage of the new SLS. The J-2X is being
developed as an upper-stage engine that can fire in space and carry
humans beyond low-Earth orbit. Stennis already is conducting early
tests on the engine and building a new stand to conduct simulated
high-altitude tests on it as well.
"Testing of these two engines sets the stage at Stennis for another
generation or more," Director Patrick Scheuermann said. "It is
assured that Stennis will play a central role in the next 50 years of
American space exploration."
The assessment is right in more ways than one. Even as NASA prepares
to launch its new space adventures, Stennis is testing engines that
will be used to power commercial ventures into space as well. It
currently tests the Aerojet AJ26 engine that will power Orbital
Sciences Corporation’s commercial cargo flights to the International
Space Station. Other such testing agreements are in the works or
certain to come.
"In the last five decades, Stennis has proven its value as the
nation's largest rocket engine test facility," Scheuermann explained.
"When companies start looking for the best place to test engines
needed for their space flights, Stennis is the logical choice, and we
are committed to making it the right choice in each and every
instance."
If history is any indication, the close of the Space Shuttle Program
and the culmination of 50 years of rocket engine testing is no end at
all for Stennis Space Center. As it was so many years ago, it's an
open door to new space adventure.
For information about Stennis, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/.
Related Multimedia:
+http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/releases/2011/CLT-11-201-cptn.html
-end-